EBC 4th Annual Connecticut Offshore Wind Conference

State Pier as a New Regional Hub for the Offshore Wind Industry & Overcoming Economic Head Winds

A must-attend event, the EBC 4^th Annual Connecticut Offshore Wind Program includes experts in the offshore wind energy industry responsible for advancing Connecticut’s offshore wind industry.

The State Pier Terminal in the Port of New London is now open for business. Connecticut’s strategic investment in its port infrastructure, complimented by significant private investment, has resulted in the transformation of the Connecticut Port Authority’s State Pier Terminal into the first active East Coast offshore wind marshaling terminal with unobstructed access to the ocean. The terminal is currently supporting the marshaling of turbines for Orsted and Eversource’s South Fork Wind project and will also support marshaling operations for the Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind projects – totaling more than 1,700 MW of renewable electricity into Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island. A 2021 study commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut estimated that an 800-megawatt offshore wind project deployed from New London could create over 5,000 direct supply chain jobs and over 1,800 indirect jobs across the skill spectrum.

Speakers will report on progress of Connecticut’s existing offshore wind procurements, upcoming solicitations, project development and strategies to harness the potential of the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry.

Speakers will discuss the local supply chain and workforce development requirements necessary to support Revolution Wind, a joint project between Ørsted and Eversource Energy, which will provide 304 MW of renewable electricity for Connecticut (in addition to 400 MW to the State of Rhode Island). On August 22, 2023, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced its approval of the Revolution Wind project. Located about 15 nautical miles southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island, the project will be capable of powering nearly 250,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The project is expected to create an estimated 1,200 local jobs during the construction phase, including 80-120 at the State Pier Terminal in New London.

Park City Wind project was selected to provide 804 MW of power to Connecticut; however, the developer has experienced financing challenges relating to the accepted terms of their procurement award from Connecticut in 2019 and the subsequent power purchase agreement. Speakers will also address the economic head winds of inflation and offshore wind supply chain constraints that have resulted in significantly higher costs for materials and construction.

In addition to industry-wide financing challenges, permitting complexity has been an ongoing concern for advancing offshore wind energy projects. Recent efforts to create a strategic, collaborative, and comprehensive data sharing strategy for the U.S. offshore wind industry will be presented.

Join the Conference and learn more about how Connecticut is growing the State’s clean energy economy, promoting economic development opportunities, recruiting new businesses, and training the workforce for clean energy jobs.

General Continuing Education Certificates are awarded by the EBC for this program (3.0 training contact hours). Certificates are automatically provided via email link for registered attendees at the conclusion of the program.